b. Leaf, Mississippi, October 4, 1937

Nashville Cat

Lloyd Green developed an emotional, resonant style of pedal steel guitar playing that gave him a distinct sound apart from other top steel specialists. Along with Jimmy Day, Buddy Emmons, and Bud Isaacs, he revolutionized the instrument with his ability to elevate a recording through dramatic melodic runs and innovative rhythmic and harmonic effects.

Green began playing Hawaiian steel guitar at age seven. Three years later he was performing professionally around Mobile, Alabama. His interest in pedal steel drew him to country music, and he toured in the bands of Hawkshaw Hawkins, Faron Young, and Ferlin Husky before his studio career took offthanks to the staccato chords and syncopated single notes he added to Warner Mack’s 1965 hit “The Bridge Washed Out.”

Green has contributed to hundreds of country recordings, including classic hits by Charley Pride, Johnny Paycheck, Don Williams, Gene Watson, Alan Jackson, and others. He also recorded with Buffy Sainte-Marie; Peter, Paul and Mary; and Henry Mancini. His work on the Byrds’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo album greatly influenced the sound of country-rock, and his recordings with singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith helped set the stage for the new-century Americana movement.

The Byrds, Sweetheart of the Rodeo, 1968

The Byrds, Sweetheart of the Rodeo, 1968

Lloyd Green used this 1967 Sho-Bud Fingertip pedal steel guitar on thousands of sessions, including those for the Byrds’ album Sweetheart of the Rodeo and for recordings by Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Charley Pride, Johnny Paycheck, Michael Nesmith, and many others. Courtesy of Gary Boyd

Lloyd Green (left) with Linda and Paul McCartney

Listen to Lloyd Green

Now Playing
You Ain’t Going Nowhere – The Byrds

Selected Songs

The Byrds, “You Ain’t Going Nowhere” (Bob Dylan)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Lloyd Green, pedal steel guitar; Roger McGuinn, lead vocal and electric guitar; Gram Parsons, organ; Chris Hillman, bass and harmony vocal.
From the album Sweetheart of the Rodeo, 1968. Produced by Gary Usher at Columbia Studios, Nashville.

The Byrds, “One Hundred Years from Now” (Gram Parsons)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Lloyd Green, pedal steel guitar; Gram Parsons, lead vocal; Clarence White, lead guitar; Earl P. Ball, piano.
Originally recorded for the album Sweetheart of the Rodeo, 1968. This version, with Gram Parsons on lead vocal, remained unreleased until 1990. Produced by Gary Usher at Columbia Studios, Los Angeles.

Paul McCartney & Wings “Sally G” (Paul McCartney)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Lloyd Green, pedal steel guitar and dobro; Johnny Gimble, fiddle; Jimmy McCulloch, lead guitar; Paul McCartney, bass; Geoff Britton, drums; Linda McCartney, backing vocal.
Single, 1974. Produced by Paul McCartney at Sound Shop, Nashville.

The Monkees, “Some of Shelly’s Blues” (Michael Nesmith)
The musicians featured on this recording are Lloyd Green, pedal steel guitar; Charlie McCoy, harmonica; Billy Sanford, guitar; Larry Butler, piano; Sonny Osborne, banjo; Bobby Dyson, bass; Willie Ackerman, drums.
Produced by Michael Nesmith at RCA Studio A, Nashville, 1968. The recording remained unreleased until 1990.

Bob Dylan, “If Not for You” (Bob Dylan)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Lloyd Green, pedal steel guitar; Bob Dylan, piano.
Produced by Bob Johnston at Columbia Studios, New York, 1970. Lloyd Green’s overdub recorded at Columbia Studios, Nashville. This alternate version remained unreleased until 2015.

Charley Pride, “Just Between You and Me” (Jack Clement)
Among the musicians featured on this recording are Lloyd Green, pedal steel guitar; Harold Bradley, guitar; Wayne Moss, electric guitar; Pig Robbins, piano; Junior Huskey, bass; Jerry Carrigan, drums.
From the album Pride of Country Music, 1967. Produced by Jack Clement, Chet Atkins, and Bob Ferguson at RCA Studio B, Nashville.

We use cookies in the following ways: (1) for system administration, (2) to assess the performance of the website, (3) to personalize your experience, content and ads, (4) to provide social media features, and (5) to analyze our traffic. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website.  Please consult instructions for your web browser to disable or block cookies, or to receive a warning before a cookie is stored on your computer or mobile device.

That's Fine